Financial Hardship

*Students who have experienced financial hardships due to a natural disaster are encouraged to submit the "Request for Review of Financial Hardship Due to Natural Disaster" available under the Forms section of our website.

Students sometimes find the information they provided on the
FAFSA
no longer accurately reflects their family’s financial situation. There are
certain circumstances where financial aid professionals at the University
can review and update the student's FAFSA to ensure it is accurately reflecting
the student's current financial situation.

There are limitations to hardships the U.S. Department of Higher Education will
allow financial aid administrators to consider. To remain equitable, our office
will review all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Please note if the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA is "0" the student
has already been awarded the maximum amount of aid they are eligible to receive.

The following conditions may be considered*:

Loss of Employment/Reduction of Income

Separation/Divorce

Death of Parent/Spouse

Reduction/Loss of Child Support

Healthcare and Dental Expenses Out of Pocket, Paid in Full

One-time Income Used for Essential Items

The following conditions generally may not be considered:

Information on the FAFSA resulted in a 0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

One-time income used for non-life essential items (e.g. family vacation)

To Complete a Financial Hardship Review:

Submit the "Request for Review of Financial Hardship" form* available under the
Forms section of our website.

Submit the documentation requested on the form to support and strengthen the review.

Once all requested documentation is submitted, the student will receive an email
notification of the outcome of the review within three to five business days.
Please note this time may be extended during peak processing times.

Possible Outcomes of a Financial Hardship Review:

No change - The change in circumstances did not impact the student's
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or financial aid.

Reduced EFC but no change in financial aid offer - The change in circumstances
did reduce the EFC but not enough to have an impact on the student's financial
aid eligibility.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to federal loans - The change in circumstances
reduced the EFC and qualified the students for some
subsidized loan funding to replace the equivalent
unsubsidized loan funding.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to state and/or federal grants - The
change in circumstances reduced the EFC and qualified the students for additional
state and/or federal grants.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to state and/or federal grants and federal loans
- The change in circumstances reduced the EFC and qualified the student for additional
state and/or federal grants as well as qualifying for some
subsidized loan funding to replace the equivalent
unsubsidized loan funding.